DHS Doles Out More Than $300 Million to ‘Sanctuary Cities’
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently authorized $300 million in funds to aid “sanctuary cities” that shelter, feed, and provide medical services for illegal immigrants—all on taxpayers’ dime.
Sanctuary cities are municipalities that actively shield illegal immigrants from deportation and commit to providing for their immediate needs. For several years, these cities, often located in northern states that do not experience high rates of illegal immigration, have been unscathed by the crisis on the southern border. In 2022, however, border states began sending busloads of migrants to sanctuary cities to not only relieve border communities but to also foster a national conversation regarding the pitfalls of illegal immigration.
The DHS, which oversees Customs and Border Protection (CBP), directed the funds towards the welfare of migrants already living in the country, rather than prioritizing efforts to curb the influx of illegal immigration along the southern border of the United States. The $300 million has been allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program (SSP) which “was authorized by Congress to support communities that are providing services to migrants,” according to the DHS press release.
The initial round of DHS grants will be available to 55 recipients for “temporary shelter” and “other costs associated with migrants awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings.”
Illegal immigrants processed by CBP upon arrival in the U.S. are issued a “notice to appear” (NTA) for immigration court, along with a scheduled court date. Although some argue that this is a humane way to process asylum claims post-illegal entry, the majority of immigrants are assigned court dates several years into the future, necessitating ongoing taxpayer support for their sustenance for an extended period. However, when TPUSA spoke with Border Patrol agents in 2023, they confirmed that approximately 90% of immigrants fail to appear for their court dates, resulting in a perpetual reliance on taxpayer-funded assistance for these individuals.
“Last year, more than $780 million [was] awarded through SSP and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program – Humanitarian Awards (EFSP-H) funding in Fiscal Year 2023 which went to organizations and cities across the country,” the DHS press release states.
The department then stated that the “demand” from sanctuary cities “exceeds the limited SSP program funding authorized by Congress,” and subsequently requested an additional $1.4 billion in funds to “provide additional tools and resources to respond to historic global migration.” The request notably did not include funds that would be allocated toward discouraging illegal immigration and closing the southern border.
FEMA, which is most frequently referenced and utilized by communities in response to natural disasters, only allocated $195.9 million to the Hawaiian island of Maui, which was devastated by wildfires that left more than 100 dead, and 1000 missing. Each “eligible” resident only received $700 following this disaster.
For comparison, the average cost to care for a single migrant household in New York City has risen to $388 each day. The sanctuary city has spent $2.4 billion on services and shelters for illegal immigrants since July 2022.
